U.S. patent application number 14/389334 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-12 for controlled atmosphere workstation.
This patent application is currently assigned to Oxford Optronix Limited. The applicant listed for this patent is Oxford Optronix Limited. Invention is credited to Andrew Nadeem Obeid, William Neil Spencer, Michael Stanley Wright.
Application Number | 20150072603 14/389334 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46160100 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150072603 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spencer; William Neil ; et
al. |
March 12, 2015 |
Controlled Atmosphere Workstation
Abstract
A controlled atmosphere workstation comprising a transparent
housing (1) having a pair of apertures (21, 22) through which can
be inserted the hands of a user. The chamber has a forward part
defined at least in part by a pair of opposed side wall portions
(7, 10) which converge towards the front of the chamber, in which
the apertures are provided. There is a font panel (3) and an
upwardly inclined top viewing panel (13). The housing is mounted on
a base (2) and contains a gas circulation system which directs
filtered gas onto the side walls of the chamber on both sides, and
then re-circulates the gas into a gas circulation chamber provided
with fans (31, 32) on either side, feeding outlets (27, 28).
Inventors: |
Spencer; William Neil;
(Merseyside, GB) ; Obeid; Andrew Nadeem;
(Oxfordshire, GB) ; Wright; Michael Stanley;
(Devon, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Oxford Optronix Limited |
Oxfordshire |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
Oxford Optronix Limited
Oxfordshire
GB
|
Family ID: |
46160100 |
Appl. No.: |
14/389334 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
March 21, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2013/050737 |
371 Date: |
September 29, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/56 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B08B 15/023 20130101;
B01L 2200/087 20130101; B01L 1/025 20130101; B25J 21/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/56 |
International
Class: |
B08B 15/02 20060101
B08B015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 30, 2012 |
GB |
1205766.7 |
Claims
1. A controlled atmosphere workstation comprising a work chamber
having a pair of apertures through which can be inserted the hands
of a user, at least part of the chamber being transparent; wherein
the chamber has a forward part defined at least in part by a pair
of opposed side wall portions which converge towards the front of
the chamber, one of said apertures being provided in one of said
side wall portions and the other of said apertures being provided
in the other of said side wall portions; wherein within the chamber
there is a gas circulation system comprising a first outlet which
directs gas towards the rear of one of said side wall portions so
as to flow towards the front of the chamber; a second outlet which
directs gas towards the rear of the other of said side wall
portions so as to flow towards the front of the chamber; and an
inlet positioned towards the rear of the chamber, between the first
and second outlets.
2-12. (canceled)
13. A controlled atmosphere workstation comprising a work chamber
having a pair of apertures through which can be inserted the hands
of a user, at least part of the chamber being transparent; wherein
the chamber has a forward part defined at least in part by a pair
of opposed side wall portions which converge towards the front of
the chamber, one of said apertures being provided in one of said
side wall portions and the other of said apertures being provided
in the other of said side wall portions as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the chamber is defined by a body which has the following
surfaces: (i) a vertically extending front panel having a top edge
and two side edges; (ii) a left hand side panel, which forms one of
said side wall portions, and which extends away from the front
panel and has a front edge joined to one side edge of the front
panel, and an upper edge which extends at an angle upwardly and
away from the front panel; (iii) a right hand side panel, which
forms the other of said side wall portions, and which extends away
from the front panel and has a front edge joined to the other side
edge of the front panel, and an upper edge which extends at an
angle upwardly and away from the front panel; (iv) a curved rear
wall interconnecting the left and right side panels; and (v) an
upper viewing panel which is inclined upwardly and away from the
front panel and has a lower edge connected to the top edge of the
front panel, a left side edge connected to the upper edge of the
left hand side panel, and a right side edge connected to the upper
edge of the right hand side panel.
14. A workstation as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least part of
each side panel is transparent to enable a user to see inside the
chamber.
15. A workstation as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least part of
the front panel is transparent to enable a user to see inside the
chamber.
16. A workstation as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least part of
the upper viewing panel is transparent to enable a user to see
inside the chamber.
17. (canceled)
18. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein baffles are used
adjacent the outlets so as to direct more gas towards the side wall
portions of the chamber.
19. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fan is provided
adjacent each outlet.
20. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlets and
the inlet are connected to a gas distribution chamber where the gas
can be heated and/or subject to humidity control, and/or
filtered.
21. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein a filter is
provided adjacent the inlet.
22. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fan is provided
adjacent the inlet.
23. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein a filter is
provided adjacent each outlet.
24. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided
a gas treatment module comprising a panel defining a region behind
the panel, a first upwardly extending elongate outlet connected to
the region for directing gas towards one side of the main chamber,
a second upwardly extending elongate outlet connected to the region
for directing gas towards the other side of the main chamber, and
there being an aperture in the panel for gas to pass into the
region.
25. A controlled atmosphere workstation comprising a work chamber
having a pair of apertures through which can be inserted the hands
of a user, at least part of the chamber being transparent; wherein
the chamber has a forward part defined at least in part by a pair
of opposed side wall portions which converge towards the front of
the chamber, and within the chamber there is a gas distribution
system comprising a first outlet which directs gas towards the rear
of one of said side wall portions so as to flow towards the front
of the chamber; a second outlet which directs gas towards the rear
of the other of said side wall portions so as to flow towards the
front of the chamber; and at least one inlet positioned towards the
rear of the chamber, between the first and second outlets.
26-33. (canceled)
34. A controlled atmosphere workstation as claimed in claim 13,
wherein within the chamber there is a gas circulation system
comprising a first outlet which directs gas towards the rear of one
of said side wall portions so as to flow towards the front of the
chamber; a second outlet which directs gas towards the rear of the
other of said side wall portions so as to flow towards the front of
the chamber; and an inlet positioned towards the rear of the
chamber, between the first and second outlets.
35. A controlled atmosphere workstation comprising a work chamber
having a pair of apertures through which can be inserted the hands
of a user, at least part of the work chamber being transparent;
wherein the work chamber has left and right side walls, a forward
part of the work chamber being defined at least in part by a
portion of the left side wall and an opposed portion of the right
side wall, the opposed side wall portions converging towards the
front of the work chamber, one of said apertures being provided in
one of said side wall portions and the other of said apertures
being provided in the other of said side wall portions; wherein
within the work chamber there is provided a panel towards the rear
of the work chamber, behind which is defined a gas distribution
chamber; there being a gas inlet into gas distribution chamber from
the work chamber, and a recirculation system which circulates gas
from the gas distribution chamber, into the work chamber and back
into the gas distribution chamber; wherein there is a first gas
outlet from the gas distribution chamber into the work chamber
which is positioned on the left of the gas distribution chamber and
which directs gas towards the rear of said portion of the left side
wall of the work chamber so as to flow towards the front of the
work chamber; and there is a second gas outlet from the gas
distribution chamber into the work chamber which is positioned on
the right of the gas distribution chamber and which directs gas
towards the rear of said portion of the right side wall of the work
chamber, so as to flow towards the front of the work chamber; and
in that the gas inlet into the gas distribution chamber is
positioned towards the rear of the work chamber, between the first
and second gas outlets.
36. A workstation as claimed in claim 35, wherein the panel extends
upwardly and terminates short of the left side wall and the right
side wall, so that the first gas outlet from the gas distribution
chamber into the work chamber is defined between the panel and the
left side wall and is in the form of a first upwardly extending
elongate outlet; and the second gas outlet from the gas
distribution chamber into the work chamber is defined between the
panel and the right side wall is in the form of a second upwardly
extending elongate outlet.
37. A workstation as claimed in claim 36, wherein the recirculation
system comprises a fan adjacent each of the first and second gas
outlets, the first gas outlet being provided with an elongate,
upwardly extending fan which directs gas tangentially on to the
left side wall, and the second gas outlet being provided with an
elongate, upwardly extending fan which directs gas tangentially on
to the right side wall.
38. A workstation as claimed in claim 35, wherein the gas inlet
into the gas distribution chamber is provided by an aperture in the
panel.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a controlled atmosphere
workstation.
[0002] The invention is particularly, but not exclusively,
concerned with a workstation for laboratory use in which the gas
content of the atmosphere can be controlled--such as the nitrogen,
and/or oxygen, and/or carbon dioxide content can be controlled. In
addition or alternatively the temperature and/or the humidity can
also be controlled. The invention is more particularly concerned
with a workstation in which work can be done under hypoxic--i.e.
depleted oxygen--conditions. A typical use of a workstation in
accordance with the invention is in the field of the life-sciences
in which the invention is capable of creating reproducible in vitro
cell hypoxia environments which are deemed vital for the precise
analysis of both cell metabolism and cell function.
[0003] There are various workstations available for carrying out
tasks in a hypoxic environment, such as the Invivo.sub.2.TM. from
Ruskinn or the Hypoxystation.TM. from Don Whitley Scientific. These
have a work chamber with a flat, forward facing glass panel,
provided with apertures through which the hands and forearms of a
user can be inserted into the chamber in sealing fashion using a
cuff or the like. The chamber typically cuboid in shape and
includes means for controlling the temperature and humidity within
the chamber, and for circulating the desired gas mixture.
[0004] Viewed from one aspect the present invention provides a
controlled atmosphere workstation comprising a work chamber having
a pair of apertures through which can be inserted the hands of a
user, at least part of the chamber being transparent; wherein the
chamber has a forward part defined at least in part by a pair of
opposed side wall portions which converge towards the front of the
chamber, one of said apertures being provided in one of said side
wall portions and the other of said apertures being provided in the
other of said side wall portions.
[0005] The user would normally be located adjacent the forward part
of the chamber.
[0006] The chamber could be defined by a curved wall, such as being
part of a cylinder or another curved body. Such a curved wall would
be convex about an upwardly extending axis, and the apertures would
be spaced circumferentially. Alternatively there could be a pair of
relatively flat side wall portions converging towards the user, in
each of which one of the apertures is positioned. In either case
the converging side wall portions may be interconnected by a front
wall portion extending straight across the workstation, and this
front wall portion may be relatively flat. The front wall portion
may be a flat panel extending upwardly, for example extending
substantially vertically. Preferably at least part of the front
wall portion, and/or at least part of each side wall portion, is
transparent to enable a user to see inside the chamber.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment an upright front wall is joined to
an upper viewing panel, at least part of which is transparent. This
upper viewing panel slopes upwardly and away from the front panel,
for example at an angle of between 20 degrees and 40 degrees away
from the vertical, such as at about 30 degrees. The upper viewing
panel is preferably also joined to the upper edges of the
converging side walls. In such an arrangement the side walls will
have upper edges which incline upwardly away from the front of the
chamber.
[0008] There may be an additional panel sealing the top of the
chamber. The remainder of the chamber may, for example, take the
form of a part-cylindrical body.
[0009] In one preferred embodiment the chamber is defined by a body
which has the following surfaces: (i) a vertically extending front
panel having a top edge and two side edges; (ii) a left hand side
panel which extends away from the front panel and has a front edge
joined to one side edge of the front panel, and an upper edge which
extends at an angle upwardly and away from the front panel; (iii) a
right hand side panel which extends away from the front panel and
has a front edge joined to the other side edge of the front panel,
and an upper edge which extends at an angle upwardly and away from
the front panel; and (iv) an upper viewing panel which is inclined
upwardly and away from the front panel and has a lower edge
connected to the top edge of the front panel, a left side edge
connected to the upper edge of the left hand side panel, and a
right side edge connected to the upper edge of the right hand side
panel.
[0010] One or more additional panels, such as a top panel, may be
provided to close the chamber.
[0011] The body may be generally cylindrical in form, but modified
to provide the above arrangement of panels.
[0012] The inclined upper viewing panel makes it easier for a
viewer to see what is happening in the chamber, when working on a
sample.
[0013] The apertures in the side panels may be provided with cuffs
or the like to seal around the forearms of a user. There may be
versions adapted for bare handed, gloved or gauntlet use. There may
be closures such as plungers or the like sealing the apertures when
not in use, and these may be displaced into the chamber when in
use. There may be, for example, a storage shelf or the like inside
the chamber on which the closures can be positioned.
[0014] The front panel may incorporate a letter box or similar
arrangement so that sample can be introduced into and removed from
the chamber
[0015] Adjacent the front of the chamber, for example below the
front panel, there may be a panel to display information such as
gas composition, humidity and temperature. This may be a touch
sensitive panel so that controls can be operated and settings
changed.
[0016] The chamber may have a base on which a work surface is
provided and underneath which various components can be positioned.
The display panel may be provided on the base. The upper part of
the chamber comprising the side, front and other panels referred to
may be a single housing unit that can be removed in one piece for
cleaning or maintenance. At least this housing unit may, for
example, be made principally of a transparent plastics
material.
[0017] The above features of embodiments of the invention provide
for more convenient manipulation by a user, as compared to the
apertures simply being in a flat front panel. They also provide
easier viewing by a user of what is being done within the
chamber.
[0018] Another feature of embodiments of the invention concerns
improving the flow of gases, such as depleted oxygen air, in the
chamber. In such embodiments, within the chamber there is a gas
circulation system comprising a first outlet which directs gas
towards the rear of one of said side wall portions so as to flow
towards the front of the chamber; a second outlet which directs gas
towards the rear of the other of said side wall portions so as to
flow towards the front of the chamber; and at least one inlet
positioned towards the rear of the chamber, between the first and
second outlets.
[0019] Thus the flow of gas, such as depleted oxygen air, follows
paths which go from the outlets to the at least one inlet. At least
one path on each side will tend to follow the converging wall of
the chamber, before turning back towards the inlet. This can be
advantageous in the case of procedures carried out at relatively
high humidity, where condensation could form on the inside of the
chamber wall. By urging the flow along the wall, the condensation
can be removed or prevented.
[0020] In some embodiments, baffles can be used adjacent the
outlets so as to direct more gas towards the wall of the
chamber.
[0021] The outlets and the or each inlet may be connected to a
distribution chamber to which the gas is fed from the main camber
and is then pumped out through the outlets. The distribution
chamber can serve to treat the gas. For example, the gas can be
heated by heating elements or a heat exchanger, and/or the humidity
controlled by a nebuliser, for example. Filters can be provided,
such as High Efficiency Particulate Air filters. These may be
provided at the or each inlet or at the outlets.
[0022] In the case of a filter at the inlet, this could be provided
with a fan either upstream or downstream of the filter. An upstream
inlet fan urges gas out of the main chamber, through the inlet
filter and into the treatment chamber. A downstream inlet fan sucks
gas from the main chamber through the inlet filter, and into the
treatment chamber. In the case of filters at the outlets, gas would
pass from the distribution chamber, through these and into the main
chamber.
[0023] Whether or not there is fan pulling or pushing gas into the
chamber adjacent the inlet, and whether or not there are outlet
filters, in preferred embodiments there are fans adjacent each
outlet. These can serve to direct gas tangentially onto the
respective side wall portions, so as to encourage flow of gas
around the walls.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment there is provided a gas
distribution module comprising a gas distribution chamber, a first
upwardly extending elongate outlet connected to the gas
distribution chamber for directing gas towards one side of the main
chamber, a second upwardly extending elongate outlet connected to
the gas distribution chamber for directing gas towards the other
side of the main chamber, and at least one inlet, positioned
between the two outlets, connected to the gas distribution chamber
for receiving recycled gas from the main chamber.
[0025] Preferably, with elongate outlets the associated fans are
also elongate and each has elongate rotor blades which rotate about
an upwardly extending axis.
[0026] A light may be provided in the main chamber, such as a
central tube light or LED array or the like, and/or spotlights
positioned where considered appropriate. Such a light or lights can
be mounted on the gas distribution module. A shelf may also be
provided in the main chamber, mounted on the gas distribution
chamber.
[0027] The base of the main chamber may be provided with an
aperture through which can pass the leads of a sensor, such as an
oxygen concentration sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a temperature
sensor and a humidity sensor which is to be used in the
chamber.
[0028] These features of embodiments of the invention which are
concerned with improving the flow of air through the chamber, are
inventive in their own right and thus, viewed from another aspect
the invention provides a controlled atmosphere workstation
comprising a work chamber having a pair of apertures through which
can be inserted the hands of a user, at least part of the chamber
being transparent; wherein the chamber has a forward part defined
at least in part by a pair of opposed side wall portions which
converge towards the front of the chamber, and within the chamber
there is a gas distribution system comprising a first outlet which
directs gas towards the rear of one of said side wall portions so
as to flow towards the front of the chamber; a second outlet which
directs gas towards the rear of the other of said side wall
portions so as to flow towards the front of the chamber; and at
least one inlet positioned towards the rear of the chamber, between
the first and second outlets.
[0029] The features described above in relation to embodiments of
the first aspect of the invention concerning improving the flow of
air through the chamber, are applicable also to this aspect of the
invention. In addition, in certain embodiments of this aspect of
the invention, one of said apertures through which can be inserted
the hands of a user is provided in one of said converging side wall
portions and the other of said apertures is provided in the other
of said converging side wall portions. The user would normally be
located adjacent the forward part of the chamber.
[0030] The invention may also be viewed from another aspects. For
example viewed from another aspect the invention provides a
controlled environment workstation comprising a chamber of
generally circular or oval cross section about an upwardly
extending axis, the chamber having at least one transparent viewing
portion. The chamber may be generally cylindrical about an upwardly
extending axis. The chamber may have a generally flat top. The
chamber may have a forwards facing viewing portion. The chamber may
have a viewing portion in the form of a transparent front panel
which is inclined inwardly and upwardly. Where the chamber has a
generally flat top, the transparent may be inclined upwardly and
inwardly to adjacent the generally flat top.
[0031] Viewed from another aspect, the invention provides a
controlled environment workstation which is cylindrical and has a
flat top. Viewed from another aspect, the invention provides a
controlled environment workstation which is cylindrical and has a
sloping viewing panel. Viewed from another aspect, the invention
provides a controlled environment workstation which is cylindrical
and has a flat top and a sloping front.
[0032] An embodiment of aspects of the invention will now be
described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a controlled atmosphere
workstation in accordance with the invention:
[0034] FIG. 2 is a front view of the housing of the
workstation;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a top view of the housing of the workstation;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the housing;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a right side view of the housing;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the workstation with the
housing removed;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the workstation with the
housing removed; and
[0040] FIG. 8 is a perspective view from below of the workstation
with the housing removed;
[0041] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the workstation has a
chamber defining portion in the form of a housing 1 of clear
plastics material which is mounted on a base 2. The housing 1 is
generally cylindrical but is modified to have the following
surfaces: (i) a vertically extending front panel 3 having a top
edge 4 and two side edges 5, 6; (ii) a left hand side panel 7 which
extends away from the front panel 3 and has a front edge 8 joined
to one side edge 5 of the front panel, and an upper edge 9 which
extends at an angle upwardly and away from the front panel; (iii) a
right hand side panel 10 which extends away from the front panel
and has a front edge 11 joined to the other side edge 6 of the
front panel, and an upper edge 12 which extends at an angle
upwardly and away from the front panel; and (iv) an upper viewing
panel 13 which is inclined upwardly and away from the front panel 3
and has a lower edge 14 connected to the top edge 4 of the front
panel, a left side edge 15 connected to the upper edge 9 of the
left hand side panel, and a right side edge 16 connected to the
upper edge 12 of the right hand side panel. The remaining side wall
portion 17 of the housing, interconnecting the left and right side
panels, is curved, for example being part cylindrical. There is
also a top 18 for the housing 1.
[0042] The housing 1 is releasably attached to a base 2 in a sealed
manner so as to be airtight and to form a chamber.
[0043] Below the front panel 3 is a letter box arrangement 19 for
introducing items into the chamber and removing them, from the
chamber.
[0044] On the front of the base 2 is a touch sensitive display
panel 20.
[0045] On side portions 7 and 10 of the housing, which converge
towards the front of the workstation, there are apertures 21 and 22
respectively, each of which will contain a sealing cuff arrangement
(not shown) so that a hand can be inserted into the chamber in an
airtight fashion. The chamber may be provided with a bleed valve so
that excess pressure created when a hand is inserted, can be
relieved.
[0046] The base 2 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 6 to 8.
[0047] A top surface 23 of a forward portion the base 2, which will
be inside the housing 1, provides a surface on which a user can
place items. A seal 24 around the upper periphery of the base will
form a seal with the housing 1 when positioned on the base, to form
a sealed chamber.
[0048] Towards the rear of the base 2, there is a gas distribution
and treatment module 25 described in more detail below. This
defines a gas distribution chamber 26, with upwardly elongate gas
outlets 27 and 28 directing gas at the curved side wall portion 17
of the housing, on either side of the housing. There is a front
panel 29 which extends upwardly and which terminates short of the
wall portion 17 on either side, so as to define the outlets 27 and
28. In this front panel 29 is defined an inlet 30 for gas to be
re-circulated from the main chamber defined by the housing 1 and
base 2, and into the gas distribution chamber 26. There are
converging walls 31 and 32 which lead to a fan unit 33 and a filter
34, which filters the gas passing into the gas distribution chamber
26.
[0049] To urge the gas out of the distribution chamber 26 and
through the outlets 27 and 28, there is an elongate, upwardly
extending fan on each side of the distribution chamber which direct
gas tangentially on to the opposite internal wall of the portion 17
of the housing 1. There is created, on both side of the housing, a
flow of gas around the walls of the housing which then pass back to
the inlet 30, as indicated by the arrows A on FIG. 7.
[0050] An outlet 35 is joined to a nebuliser unit 36 beneath the
surface 23 of the base unit, which is used for controlling the
humidity of the gas. Also beneath the base 23 is circuitry 37 for
controlling the various functions of the workstation. There may
also be one or more probes for measuring parameters such as
temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration and oxygen
concentration.
[0051] A shelf 38 is provided on the front panel 29 of the gas
treatment and distribution module, on which a user can place items.
One or more lights can also be positioned on this font panel.
[0052] This embodiment provides a filtration system which protects
samples such as cells from the risk of contamination. Precision
concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide can be obtained using
sophisticated gas flow controllers and auto-calibrating sensors
providing electronic feedback. Climatic conditions are maintained
using microprocessor controlled temperature and nebuliser based
humidifier technology. Oxygen and carbon dioxide can be cycled
rapidly.
[0053] The ergonomic design of the workstation ensures natural
relaxed operation with the positions of the hand apertures. The
angled upper viewing panel, particularly when combined with
adjustable LED illumination, provides good visibility. The touch
screen displays real time data and setting parameters in both
digital and graphical format. A data port, such as a LAN connector,
allows recording, storage and off-line data analysis.
[0054] The design minimises dead space to ensure frugal levels of
gas usage.
[0055] There is thus provided a controlled atmosphere workstation
comprising a transparent housing having a pair of apertures through
which can be inserted the hands of a user. The chamber has a
forward part defined at least in part by a pair of opposed side
wall portions which converge towards the front of the chamber, in
which the apertures are provided. There is a front panel and an
upwardly inclined top viewing panel. The housing is mounted on a
base and contains a gas circulation system which directs filtered
gas onto the side walls of the chamber on both sides, the gas then
being re-circulated through an inlet into a gas circulation chamber
towards the rear of the workstation, provided with fans on either
side.
* * * * *